off the mark-originals/tips

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TIPS

I get a lot of e-mail asking me how one might become a cartoonist, so I decided to devote a page to it. Truthfully, timing and luck have as much to do with it as talent. And believe me, I certainly do not have all the answers, but here are some tips that may help...

DRAWING STYLE
A drawing style is a very individual thing. For starters, I suggest looking at the work of your favorite cartoonists. You can emulate certain characteristics you like: maybe the way hair is drawn or feet or trees, whatever. Some of the most popular cartoonists around have obvious influences from other cartoonists. Draw different characters from different strips. The next step is simply to draw....a lot. Drawing styles don't usually hatch all at once, they evolve over time. So, just find excuses to draw. Taking drawing classes isn't a bad idea either.

WRITING
When you look at the comics, try to notice how a joke is told, for example: the timing; the set-up; what is said and what isn't said. Sometimes it's a fine line between making a joke too obvious or making it too hard to understand.
It's usually a good idea not to flood the frame with too many words.
One thing I must stress is write about what you know. Don't try to center your strip around an operating room if you have no experience there. It won't ring true. Make sure your printing is legible and large enough so it can be read when the comic is reduced.

CHARACTERS
If you have repeating characters, develop a different personality for each of them. Actually write down a paragraph or two about each character, what they like, etc. Also draw your characters with different expressions and from different angles. And don't have too many characters to start out...3 or 4 is plenty. Have one main charater and use him/her in EVERY strip to start. That way, the reader will realize who the central character is and slowly get to know her/him. If you want, you can always introduce more characters later. One you have defined your characters, make a "character sketch." This is a single piece of paper that has a drawing of the main characters and a very brief description of each. It's a good idea to develop some friendly friction between characters.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Once you have your concept down, draw a big batch. Make sure you can keep it up. Try to do 10, then 30, then 50. Show family and friends for feedback. Send 10-20 samples to local weekly papers, magazines, newletters, where ever you can. (Never send originals, always copies.) If you can get published, it will help you see what your work looks like reduced and printed. It may help you get used to deadlines, too. A book called "Artist's Market" has listings of magazines, card companies, newletters who are looking for cartoons

SYNDICATES
When you think you are ready, submit 30 of your best cartoons (along with the character sketch, a brief bio and a cover letter) to a syndicate (the fine print you see along the borders of comics). They distribute 99% of the cartoons on the comics page. Here is a list of the major syndicates. Address to COMICS EDITOR.

KING FEATURES
235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017

UNIVERSAL PRESS
4520 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111

UNITED MEDIA
200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016

TRIBUNE MEDIA
435 N. Michigan, Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60611

WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP
1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071

CREATORS SYNDICATE
5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, L.A., CA 90045

FINALLY
Be prepared for rejection. It's one of the hardest things about this business, but much of it is inevitable. If you believe in what you are doing, keep it up. If you think you may be on the wrong track, try another concept. Persistence is right up there with luck, timing and talent.

(If I think of anything else, I'll add it later.)

GOOD LUCK!

ORIGINALS
MATERIALS
SKETCHES
TIPS

DRAWING STYLE A drawing style is a very individual thing. For starters, I suggest looking at the work of your favorite cartoonists. You can emulate certain characteristics you like: maybe the way hair is drawn or feet or trees, whatever. Some of the most popular cartoonists around have obvious influences from other cartoonists. Draw different characters from different strips. The next step is simply to draw....a lot. Drawing styles don't usually hatch all at once, they evolve over time. So, just find excuses to draw. Taking drawing classes isn't a bad idea either.	WRITING When you look at the comics, try to notice how a joke is told, for example: the timing; the set-up; what is said and what isn't said. Sometimes it's a fine line between making a joke too obvious or making it too hard to understand. It's usually a good idea not to flood the frame with too many words. One thing I must stress is write about what you know. Don't try to center your strip around an operating room if you have no experience there. It won't ring true. Make sure your printing is legible and large enough so it can be read when the comic is reduced.
CHARACTERS If you have repeating characters, develop a different personality for each of them. Actually write down a paragraph or two about each character, what they like, etc. Also draw your characters with different expressions and from different angles. And don't have too many characters to start out...3 or 4 is plenty. Have one main charater and use him/her in EVERY strip to start. That way, the reader will realize who the central character is and slowly get to know her/him. If you want, you can always introduce more characters later. One you have defined your characters, make a "character sketch." This is a single piece of paper that has a drawing of the main characters and a very brief description of each. It's a good idea to develop some friendly friction between characters.	PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Once you have your concept down, draw a big batch. Make sure you can keep it up. Try to do 10, then 30, then 50. Show family and friends for feedback. Send 10-20 samples to local weekly papers, magazines, newletters, where ever you can. (Never send originals, always copies.) If you can get published, it will help you see what your work looks like reduced and printed. It may help you get used to deadlines, too. A book called "Artist's Market" has listings of magazines, card companies, newletters who are looking for cartoons
SYNDICATES When you think you are ready, submit 30 of your best cartoons (along with the character sketch, a brief bio and a cover letter) to a syndicate (the fine print you see along the borders of comics). They distribute 99% of the cartoons on the comics page. Here is a list of the major syndicates. Address to COMICS EDITOR. KING FEATURES 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017 UNIVERSAL PRESS 4520 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111 UNITED MEDIA 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016 TRIBUNE MEDIA 435 N. Michigan, Ste 1500, Chicago, IL 60611 WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071 CREATORS SYNDICATE 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, L.A., CA 90045	FINALLY Be prepared for rejection. It's one of the hardest things about this business, but much of it is inevitable. If you believe in what you are doing, keep it up. If you think you may be on the wrong track, try another concept. Persistence is right up there with luck, timing and talent. (If I think of anything else, I'll add it later.) GOOD LUCK!